Sights & Sounds - Oct. 2

Colonial-themed events

The Wright House Museum of Western Expansion, Venetia, will hold the Halloween event “Dinner with the Colonial Dead” at 4 p.m. Oct. 5. Converse with some of the dead heroes of the Colonial past. The event will include drinks and food from Colonial days. Ghosts and ghouls will visit, offering comments on the past, present and future. Cost is $30/adults by reservation only. Seating is limited.

During the three-hour weekly classes, running through early November, Jackson will teach from the Meisner Technique and Stanislavski Method mostly, but will utilize the basics of all acting before branching out to different methods in class.

The class will culminate in a performance on Nov. 17 with an actor’s showcase, where students are encouraged to perform pieces for an audience composed of family and friends.

To join, send a check or money order for $200, payable to The Carnegie Arts Initiative, 220 Third Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106.

Jackson studied Shakespeare at the former American Youth Shakespeare Academy. Trained as a serious actor, she is also adept at comedy, having performed in sketch comedy and as a stand-up comedian.

Pianist performs

The Diskin Music Fund of Temple Emanuel presents world renowned pianist Richard Glazier Oct. 6 in the social hall of Temple Emanuel of the South Hills. The program, “Gershwin-Remembrance and Discovery,” will begin at 7:30 p.m.

A Hagar the Horrible Viking Fest to celebrate the comic strip’s 40th anniversary, will take place 7:30-10 p.m. Oct. 9 at the ToonSeum, Pittsburgh. Viking helmets will be on hand and there will be a special visit from Hagar himself. To buy tickets, visit http://www.showclix.com/event/vikingfest.

The Hagar the Horrible exhibition runs through Dec. 1 and features 40 pieces of original art as well as personal artifacts.

Cops in Couture

Cops in Couture, a fashion show benefitting the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial of Allegheny County near Heinz Field, will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at The Mall at Robinson.

Highlighting over 70 police officers and K9 units from Allegheny County police departments, these officers, including Officer James Kuzak, who was injured in the line of duty, will model the latest fashion trends.

Washington Symphony Orchestra announced receipt of a $7,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments’ Small Arts Initiative to assist with the production of its Oct. 12 concert, “Space – The Final Frontier,” which will take place at 8 p.m. at Trinity High School.

Register by Oct. 15 for Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department’s day trip on Dec. 1 to see “Elf the Musical,” followed by dinner in Pittsburgh. Ages 6 years and older (youth 17 years and under must be with a paid adult) are welcome.

Cost of $139 per person includes dinner, show, transportation and tour of Pittsburgh holiday lights.

Register at 412-343-3409.

ToonSeum

ToonSeum’s newest exhibit will run through Oct. 20. “Duck!” showcases original animation art, comic art and artifacts of some of the most iconic quackers — from Donald to Daffy and Baby Huey to Quackula.

The free event will be held 5:30-9 p.m. Oct. 16 at Valley Brook Country Club on Hidden Valley Road in McMurray and will feature leather goods, glassware, fashion accessories and more, plus Chinese and silent auctions. Hors d’oeuvres and snacks will be served.

Call 724-942-1200 for more information.

Day trip

Sign up by Oct. 22 for a day trip to Nemacolin Woodlands and Lady Luck Casino on Dec. 4, sponsored by Peters Township Parks and Recreation.

The trip will include a guided art tour of the Hardy Family Art Collection consisting of nearly 1,000 individual pieces valued at over $45 million, lunch at Nemacolin Woodlands and time at the Lady Luck Casino with $15 in free play.

Bus departs from Peters Township Parks and Rec Center’s side parking lot at 9 a.m. and returns at 6:30 p.m. (times are approximate).

Fee is $85/person. A minimum of 35 bus passengers is required or trip will be cancelled.

Located at 248 Clinton Avenue, the Haunted Cabin ground covers almost a full acre and features a covered bridge, maze, torture chamber, Grizzly Mansion, Barracuda Cove, Dead Man’s Pass and graveyard. Meet the judge, creek critters and maybe even the Cabin Witch.

Cost is $5 per person. Scouts and other youth groups will receive the group discount price of $3 per person. Groups should make arrangements for specific nights and times by calling the VIP reservation line at 724-693-0549.

Parking is limited. Overflow parking is ¼ block from the cabin. A refreshment stand will be available.

Design presentation

Tony Award-winning theatrical set designer Donyale Werle will be the featured speaker for the Design Dialogue presentation hosted by the La Roche College Interior Design Advisory Board on Oct. 24 at the Carnegie Science Center.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception including hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and silent auction, followed by the presentation at 6:30.

Tickets are $30/general admission, $20/alumni and $15/students. To order or for more information, call 412-536-1024 or email iddept@laroche.edu. For more information about the La Roche Design Division, visit www.designatlaroche.com.

Night of Fright

The Western Pennsylvania Paranormal Hunters will host Night of Fright 7 p.m.-midnight Oct. 26 at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall on Beechwood Ave., Carnegie. All ages are welcome and the night includes a 50/50 raffle, Chinese auction, costume contest, games and music by DJ Drama J plus more. Refreshments available. Tickets are $5 and children under 13 are free. Part of the proceeds benefit the library. Tickets are available at www.huntparanormal.com.

‘Freckleface Strawberry’

Looking Glass Theatre, Little Lake Theatre Company’s theatre for young audiences, will present “Freckleface Strawberry” at 1:30 p.m. most Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Oct. 27-Nov. 17. Directed by Sara Barbisch, this musical is based upon the books by actress Julianne Moore.

Speaker series

Bethel Park Recreation presents Dr. Cyril Wecht at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Bethel Park Community Center, Park Avenue, as part of its Town Hall Speaker Series.